Possible explanation for mental effects of Bay Leaf (GOOD READ!)

I poked around the internet and found this primary source which cites other sources which have discovered the presence of Isoquinoline Alkaloids in bay leaves. For those who don't know, those are "opium alkaloids" such as morphine, codeine, etc. Maybe that is why bay leaf is so relaxing but strangely uplifiting. I should seek the source which it cites to find out which alkaloids are present in bay leaves. I will keep you guys informed.



UPDATES:

UPDATE #1: I found an abstract which explains why bay leaf is many times less effective when dried

UPDATE #2: Apparently according to another abstract, bay leaf contains chemicals that help the absorption of alcohol. Maybe these chemicals help the absorption of other substances? Is this why when I chew a little bit of crushed bay leaf with my paan masala (a preperation of areca/betel nuts) it causes it to work a lot faster??

UPDATE #3: It appears as though my assumptions in #2 have been affirmed as I have stumbled upon a patent application for the use of various essential oils, including that of bay leaf to increase the bioavalibility of orally administered drugs.

 

This is very interesting info. Thanks for the message. Where does one get undry bay leaves though?

 

It is very, very hard. I honestly don't know of anywhere around me. I think that gourmet/culinary vendors might have it. Dried doesn't make a large difference but it is noticeable.

 

drat and bother. Is it addictive with opiates?

 

I think so. There are people in India who are dependent on it. However, if you don't do it on a daily basis, you probably will not form a habit. That has been the case with me.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

damnn i used to smoke bay leaves in fourth grade but i diddnt ever know that it has real effects!! Now that i read this stuff, i tried smoking bay leaf, and yeah i definitely feel something and i dont think its placebo.

 

Well, you were also probably smoking it in the wrong way. With bay leaf it needs to be relatively finely crushed or it will not hold a flame.

 

dagga is supposedly about as addictive as cigarettes... most people haven't realized that though because they don't smoke it like a chimney.

if bay leaves were really addictive like opiates, bay leaves would be way more popular.

edit: yeah... pretty much what ob said.

 

Well, in all fairness uplink, the alkaloids are in very low numbers and bay leaf is not known much in the west but there ARE people in india who smoke it daily out of addiction (unfortunately) but doing it now and then isnt addictive. I smoke every now and then (cigs) anyways so its nothing im not used to